Camilla Jessen
Hungary’s Prime Minister says LGBTQ+ Pride marchers could face criminal charges and facial recognition tracking.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has issued a stark ultimatum: anyone participating in Saturday’s Pride march in Budapest should prepare to face “clear legal consequences,” including criminal prosecution and possible prison time.
In a radio address Friday, Orban said, “We are adults, and I recommend that everyone follow the rules. If they don’t, they must face the consequences.”
Under new laws passed by his ruling Fidesz party, police now have legal backing to ban LGBTQ+ events, claiming to “protect children.”
The laws even allow facial recognition technology to identify marchers for fines or worse.
“We are not here to make each other’s lives harder,” Orban added, “but easier—that is the essence of Christianity.”
This was reported by Digi24.
Budapest Mayor: We’re Marching Anyway
Despite the national ban, Budapest’s progressive mayor Gergely Karácsony insists the Pride event will go forward, reframing it as a municipal celebration of freedom, which, by law, doesn’t require police authorization.
That’s thrown the Orban government into a legal and political showdown with the capital.
Justice Minister Bence Tuzson warned that attending could lead to criminal charges and up to a year in prison.
Orban responded to growing EU pressure with a Cold War-era jab: “Brussels is acting like Moscow. They think they can tell Hungarians how to live.”
Europe Pushes Back: “Let Them March”
More than 30 countries, including Germany, France, and the UK, have condemned Hungary’s ban.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Hungary to allow the march to proceed without “fear of criminal or administrative sanctions.”
But the Hungarian government is not backing down.
Instead, they’ve reportedly informed foreign embassies that their citizens could be prosecuted if they participate.
